Fantasy Hockey Tiers: Blake, Garland, Broberg and Zucker on the Rise
Usage changes and new roles are reshaping the fantasy landscape, and a few under-the-radar names are suddenly forcing their way into relevance. By focusing on deployment, power-play roles, and EDGE-style on-ice trends, we can group emerging options into tiers instead of obsessing over exact rankings. Let’s break down where Jackson Blake, Conor Garland, Philip Broberg, and Jason Zucker fit right now—and how to attack them in different fantasy formats.
What’s New & Why It Matters
The common thread with these four players is opportunity. Blake has climbed into a second-line role with the Carolina Hurricanes, seeing more offensive-zone starts and power-play time. Garland’s move to the Columbus Blue Jackets has refreshed his value, giving him a clearer path to top-six minutes and secondary power-play usage. In St. Louis, Broberg is no longer buried; he’s being trusted as a top-pair defender with first-unit power-play exposure. Meanwhile, Zucker has clicked on the top line and first power-play unit for the Buffalo Sabres, riding a legitimate scoring heater.
These role shifts are exactly what fantasy managers should hunt for. Elevated lines and special-teams usage often show up in EDGE-style metrics—more offensive-zone time, better shot locations, and higher involvement in scoring plays—before they’re fully priced into fantasy value. That creates a window to add, stream, or stash before the rest of your league catches up.
Fantasy Implications
Points-Only
Tier 1: Core adds with real scoring upside
Zucker sits at the top of this group for pure scoring. As a top-line winger and PP1 fixture in Buffalo, he’s being put in premium situations to produce. His recent run isn’t just puck luck; it’s backed by high-danger shot volume and steady involvement on the primary scoring unit. In points-only leagues, that combination of deployment and current form makes him a strong add with mid-tier roster staying power if the role sticks.
Blake is right behind him in this tier. Skating on Carolina’s second line with PP2 time, he benefits from a strong supporting cast and a system that tilts the ice in the offensive zone. His recent scoring surge is supported by increased offensive-zone time and chemistry with his linemates. In points-only formats, he’s the kind of mid-season breakout who can solidify your middle of the roster and provide sneaky depth scoring.
Tier 2: Streamers with situational upside
Garland profiles more as a matchup-driven play in points-only leagues. The trade to Columbus has sparked his shot and scoring metrics, but his second-line, PP2 role is a half-step behind Zucker’s and Blake’s situations. He’s best used when the Blue Jackets have favorable opponents or heavy schedules, especially if you can rotate him in for short bursts while he’s hot.
Tier 3: Blue-line lottery ticket
Broberg is the classic points-only gamble from the back end. A top-pair, PP1 role in St. Louis is exactly what you want to chase, but his fantasy value depends on whether that power-play usage translates into consistent points. In shallower points-only leagues, he’s more of a watchlist name; in deeper formats, he’s worth a speculative add if you need defense scoring and can tolerate some volatility.
Categories / Bangers
Tier 1: Multi-cat winger you start until he cools
Zucker’s profile plays well in categories. Top-line, PP1 usage in Buffalo should translate into goals, shots, and power-play points, and his style of play often brings a bit of peripheral value as well. In standard categories leagues, he’s a priority add while this role holds, with the potential to stick as a rest-of-season starter on your wing.
Tier 2: High-volume streamer with shots and goals upside
Garland is almost tailor-made for streaming in categories leagues. The move to Columbus has juiced his shot volume and scoring chances, and his second-line, PP2 deployment gives him enough ice time to matter without locking you into long-term risk. He’s ideal when you’re chasing shots or goals late in a matchup week, and his flexibility makes him a strong schedule-based plug-in.
Tier 3: Quiet depth scorer with modest peripherals
Blake’s value in categories formats is more modest than in points-only. His second-line, PP2 role in Carolina gives him a path to goals and assists, but unless he leans into volume shooting or adds more physical stats, he’s more of a depth scorer than a bangers stud. He’s still worth adding in deeper categories leagues where any top-six forward with power-play time has value, but in standard leagues he’s closer to a scoring-focused streamer.
Tier 4: Defenseman with upside in shots, blocks, and PPP
Broberg is intriguing in categories because of his role. Top-pair minutes usually bring a mix of shots, blocks, and time on ice, and PP1 deployment opens the door to power-play points. Even if his raw scoring lags, that combination can make him a useful depth defenseman in deeper categories leagues. For now, he’s best treated as a speculative add or strong watchlist name, especially if you’re light on blue-line peripherals.
Dynasty / Keeper
Tier 1: Long-term upside with growing opportunity
Blake is the most interesting dynasty piece of this group. His rise into a second-line, PP2 role in Carolina at a relatively early stage of his career suggests the organization trusts his offensive game. Sustained offensive-zone usage and strong underlying metrics hint at future growth; he’s a player you can stash now with the hope he grows into a consistent top-six scorer.
Broberg also belongs in the top dynasty tier, but from the blue-line perspective. St. Louis giving him top-pair and PP1 responsibility is a major signal about how they view his future. Even if the points don’t explode immediately, defensemen often develop on a slower curve, and this kind of role can be a precursor to multi-year fantasy relevance. In dynasty, he’s an ideal watchlist-to-stash candidate if your league rewards patience with young defensemen.
Tier 2: Productive now, but with shorter windows
Zucker is more of a win-now asset in dynasty. His current top-line, PP1 role in Buffalo is excellent for immediate production, but his long-term outlook is more volatile given age and potential role changes down the line. He’s the type of player you ride while he’s in this premium spot and consider moving using tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer if your team is rebuilding.
Garland sits in a similar bucket. The trade to Columbus has reopened his fantasy relevance, but his long-term ceiling depends on how the Blue Jackets’ lineup evolves. In dynasty, he’s a useful depth scorer who can help contending teams now, but he’s not the kind of cornerstone you build around.
Who to Add / Stream / Watch
- Jason Zucker – Add (shallow and standard leagues): Top-line and PP1 deployment in Buffalo plus a genuine scoring surge make him a must-add while this role holds.
- Jackson Blake – Add (standard and deep points-only): Second-line, PP2 usage in Carolina and strong offensive-zone time give him real middle-of-roster scoring upside.
- Conor Garland – Short-term stream (categories and standard): Revitalized shot and scoring metrics in Columbus make him an excellent schedule-based streamer for goals and shots.
- Philip Broberg – Watchlist / speculative add (deep and dynasty): Top-pair, PP1 opportunity in St. Louis offers long-term upside and potential near-term value if the points start to follow.
Fantasy Takeaways
- Blake’s promotion into Carolina’s top six with power-play time makes him a strong add in points-only and a viable depth option in deeper categories leagues.
- Garland’s move to Columbus has unlocked his shot and scoring potential, making him an ideal short-term streamer when you need offense.
- Broberg’s expanded role on St. Louis’ top pair and first power-play unit puts him firmly on the dynasty radar and as a speculative add in deeper formats.
- Zucker’s combination of top-line usage, PP1 time, and a current hot streak in Buffalo makes him a high-priority pickup across most league types.
- Monitor deployment trends and special-teams roles closely—these usage shifts often signal breakout fantasy value before box scores fully catch up.
Source: NHL.com. See the original for full details.